Thunder 96, Mavs 87

Observations, news and notes from Monday’s game……….

* The day I write Russell Westbrook needs to start making his teammates better he goes out and records his first career triple-double and helps Nenad Krstic score a season-high 26 points.

* Krstic’s career-high is 29, set in March of 2006 against Chicago.

* Kyle Weaver and Thabo Sefolosha are playing well together. They present a nice tandem that can both play solid defense and create shot opportunities for themselves and others.

* Dallas’ starters scored 50 points. Oklahoma City’s scored 78. Who would have predicted that?

* The most interesting stat from this game is the Thunder’s 18 turnovers led to only 13 Mavs points while the Mavs’ 12 turnovers led to 21 Thunder points.

* The second most interesting stat from this game is the Mavs outscored the Thunder 16-0 in fastbreak points.

* Malik Rose was very effective in 17 minutes, scoring seven points with five rebounds and two assists. And let me tell you, he made good use of each of his two fouls. Anybody coming down the lane against the Thunder when Rose is in the game better be prepared for some severe contact.

* Not sure where Earl Watson was tonight. His one assist to Westbrook on the alley-oop pass was pretty sweet, though.

* Jason Terry outscored the Thunder’s bench 20-18.

* The Thunder’s 31-15 third quarter turned the tide and led to a 20-point lead to start the final period.